Cinematographer
Aus DoP-Perspektive ist dieses Element essentiell für die visuelle Gestaltung. Es ermöglicht mir die gewünschte Farbstimmung und das ästhetische Bild konsistent umzusetzen.
ND 1.5: a neutral density filter with optical density 1.5 that reduces light by 5 stops, transmitting approximately 3% of incident light.
Overview
"ND 1.5" is not a device or manufacturer name, but a strength value for Neutral Density (ND) filters. The number 1.5 indicates the optical density. An ND filter attenuates incoming light as neutrally as possible, meaning uniformly across all wavelengths, without altering the color temperature or color character of the light.
The value appears in two related areas: as a coating on camera glass filters (e.g., matte box filters in 4x5.65" format or round screw-in filters) and as a neutral density gel, which is stretched in the grip area in front of windows or lights to reduce brightness.
What the Value Means
Optical density is logarithmically related to light reduction: for every 0.3 density, the light is halved by one f-stop. This results in the following for ND 1.5:
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Optical Density | 1.5 |
| Light Reduction | 5 f-stops (1.5 ÷ 0.3 = 5) |
| Filter Factor | 32× (2⁵) |
| Transmission | approx. 3% (around 1/32 of the light) |
The filter factor of 32 means that only about one thirty-second of the original amount of light passes through. To maintain the same exposure, one must either open the aperture by five stops or extend the exposure time accordingly.
Danger of Confusion in Notation
Caution is advised with notation. "ND 1.5" with the value 1.5 stands for 5 stops. This should be distinguished from the notation with a leading zero or decimal point like "ND.15" (density 0.15), which corresponds to only about half an f-stop. Furthermore, with gel manufacturers, ND strengths are often specified as 0.3 / 0.6 / 0.9 / 1.2 (1 to 4 stops); a density value of 1.5 is one step above this.
Use on Set
ND filters and gels are used to reduce light without sacrificing other image parameters. Typical applications for a strong density like ND 1.5 include:
- Wide Aperture in Bright Light: To be able to work with a wide-open aperture, and thus shallow depth of field, despite daylight or strong outdoor brightness.
- Window Correction (Gel): Applied as an ND gel to window panes to bring the brightness difference between a bright exterior and a dark interior into a representable contrast range.
- Deliberate Exposure Time: To enable longer shutter speeds or a wider shutter angle in bright light.
Since 5 stops represent a very strong attenuation, ND 1.5 is primarily used in very bright situations; for moderate corrections, lower densities are used.
From the crafts
Perspectives
Producer
Diese professionelle Lösung erhöht die Produktionseffizienz und reduziert Post-Production-Anforderungen. Sie ermöglicht flexible, schnelle Anpassungen während des Drehs.
Gaffer
Als Gaffer ist dies ein unverzichtbares Werkzeug meines täglichen Handwerkszeugs. Es ermöglicht mir professionelle Lichtkontrolle und schnelle Anpassungen auf Set, was Zeit spart und Qualität sichert.
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Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „ND 1.5 (5 Stops)"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?